How to Turn Off Google Assistant (or Gemini)
Google Assistant is being replaced by Gemini in 2026. Here is how to turn off the voice assistant, stop it launching from the power button, and disable it.
Google is retiring the classic Google Assistant through 2026 and replacing it with Gemini, so on an up-to-date phone you are usually turning off Gemini now. You can stop it responding to your voice, stop it launching from the power button, and switch it off entirely — each is a separate setting. Google began the final shutdown of the classic Assistant on September 4, 2026 and it rolls out over a few weeks, so once Gemini reaches your phone you cannot switch back, and the steps below turn off whichever one you currently have.
Stop the voice trigger
Open the Gemini app, tap your profile, go to Settings, and turn off “Talk to Gemini hands-free” — that is the switch that used to be “Hey Google.” If your phone still has the classic Assistant, the old path (the Google app, your profile, Settings, Google Assistant) still works, but treat it as a fallback, since it is being removed.
Stop it launching from the power button
A long press of the side or power button often opens the assistant by accident. Change what that press does:
| Phone | Where | Set to |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel / stock | Settings > System > Gestures > Press & hold power button | Power menu |
| Samsung | Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Press and hold | Power off menu |
Turn the assistant off completely
To remove it as the assistant altogether, go to Settings, Apps, Default apps, Digital assistant app, and set the Default digital assistant app to None. Deleting the Gemini app alone does not do this — it stays the default until you choose None here. On Samsung, Bixby is separate and keeps its own “Hey Bixby” trigger, so turn that off in the Bixby settings if you use it.
When to keep it, just quieter
If you like quick answers but hate the accidental launches, you do not have to disable everything. Turning off just the voice trigger and the button shortcut stops almost all of the nuisance while leaving the assistant there when you open it on purpose. It also trims a little battery and microphone access — see how to save battery. If notifications are the real irritation, managing Android notifications helps, and you can tuck away apps you rarely use by hiding apps on Android.
Start with the voice trigger and the power-button shortcut — that fixes the two things people actually complain about. Set the digital assistant to None only if you want it gone for good.
Common questions
Is Google Assistant being discontinued?
Yes. Google began shutting the classic Assistant down on phones and Wear OS on September 4, 2026, replacing it with Gemini. The change rolls out in stages over a few weeks, so it reaches different phones at different times.
Can I switch back from Gemini to Google Assistant?
Only until the shutdown reaches your phone. Once Gemini takes over on your device, Google says you can no longer switch back to the classic Assistant, so the real choice becomes keeping Gemini or turning the assistant off.
How do I stop Gemini from opening when I hold the power button?
Change what the button does. On Pixel, open Settings > System > Gestures > Press & hold power button and set it to the power menu; on Samsung, open Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Press and hold and set it to the power off menu.
Does turning off Gemini also turn off Bixby on a Samsung phone?
No. Bixby is Samsung’s separate assistant with its own “Hey Bixby” trigger, so switching off Gemini leaves Bixby running. Turn Bixby off in the Bixby settings if you do not use it.